{Style Panel} My So-Called Outfit...

 

I love all things �90s, from flannel and Doc Martens to poof pens and Pop-up Video. Growing up during this time, I experimented with everything from overalls and dark lip liner, to argyle mini skirts and baby doll tees that had Cher Horowitz written all over them. Fast forward a few years, and I still find traces of the decade creeping into my life via fashion, music and film.

Take this dress for instance; the vibrant tribal print conjures up images of Saved By The Bell (which I'm currently rewatching on Netflix!) or Fresh Prince of Bel Air characters, while the booties, leather jacket and slouchy beanie pay homage to the grungier side of the spectrum (of which I�m sure Angela Chase would approve). Whether you like it or not, elements from this � oh let�s go ahead and call it magical � decade are probably creeping into your wardrobes as well, so you may as well embrace the resurgence and work it. Anything from lace up booties and oversized plaid shirts is fair game, with jeweled hair clips (omg, remember those?!) and dark, neutral lips all vying for your attention. I guess what they say is true: You can take the girl out of the �90s, but you can�t take the �90s out of the girl. xx

Be sure to check out more '90s-inspired looks from this week's Style Panel!

Outfit details: dress- Forever 21; leather jacket- Zara; fringe bag- H&M; booties- Shoe Mint; beanie- Zara; tights- Joe Fresh

{Style} Spotted...

Well it's official: I love my new polka dot jeans. I imagine you'll be seeing a lot of these puppies in the coming months (as if two days in a row weren't enough), so consider yourselves forewarned. Another item I anticipate using on the regular is my new Nella Bella snake canvas tote*. It's from their Spring 2013 Collection, which is ripe with smooth, soft textures and vibrant hues. I love this bag because it has multiple compartments for maximum storage (a girl always has to be prepared!) and the padded handles sit nicely on my shoulders, which is often a problem for me. And did I mention that this little piece of snake print heaven is actually vegan? Guilt free and super fly � Now that's my kind of bag! xx

Outfit details: faux leather detail peplum top- Urban Outfitters; polka dot jeans DIY- Joe Fresh; pumps- Shoe Mint; Gardenia nu snake canvas tote c/o Nella Bella; necklace- Forever 21; bracelet- Joe Fresh; watch- Michael Kors

*Click here for shopping info and a store near you

{DIY} Polka Dot Jeans...

I've wanted these polka dot jeans from the Gap for aaaages, but never got around to buying them, partly because I didn't think I should spend 70 big ones on a trend item, and partly because I wanted to make my own version. This is probably the easiest DIY I've ever done (apart from just slathering nail polish on jewelry), and I'm ecstatic with the result. I mean seriously, all you need is a pair of jeans (washed, if they're brand new!) and a fabric paint pen from the craft store... How easy is that?!



Since these bad boys are DIY I wanted them to look that way, so I didn't bother measuring out my polka dot placement. I really like the irregular, freestyled effect, but if you prefer a more symmetrical look, refer to this post. If you're a free spirit (aka- lazy) DIY'er like me, just dot away� I bet you'll love the effect either way. Just remember not to wash your snazzy new jeans for at least 72 hours after completing the DIY to preserve your pretty little dots! Easy peasy. xx

{Style} Playing Hooky...

Hello and happy Monday, friends! As you read this, I'll be doing one of three things: 1. sleeping in; 2. visiting my new local library; or 3. watching an old, black and white movie with Mr. AiF at the museum.... Ooooh yeah. In case you couldn't tell, I have the day off and I'm pretty dang excited. Not to rub it in or anything, but I'm probably doing an it's-Monday-and-I-don't-have-to-work happy dance this very moment. What can I say, life is good.

Have a fab day, lovelies! Whatever you do, don't work too hard... xx

Outfit details: sweater- Zara; blouse- Forever 21; military vest- Old Navy; pleated leather skirt- Alice & Olivia; necklace- Urban Outfitters; ring- vintage; bracelet- random NYC find; watch- Michael Kors; booties- Forever 21

{Style} Coral Crush...

I've been super uninspired by my wardrobe lately, especially when it comes to marrying my desire for vibrant spring colours and prints with the fact that I still have a couple months of weather-related despair in my future... Le sigh. I tried perking myself up by concocting a medley of florals and polka dots � heck, I even threw in a pop of coral for good measure � but no dice. Looks like only time, or some unseasonal heat wave, can cure what ails me.

In other news, I'm going to be embarking on Kiehls' 10 day Midnight Recovery Concentrate challenge, so I'll be sharing any changes to my skin over the next 10 days on Twitter and Facebook... Follow along and join the conversation � I'd love to hear your thoughts if you've used the product!

Happy weekending, friendlies! xx

Outfit details: coral blazer- Forever 21; floral jeans- Joe Fresh; denim shirt- Forever 21; cap toe pumps- Zara; polka dot clutch- Red Velvet; watch- Michael Kors; necklace- Zara

{Remix} 1 Blazer, 4 ways...

This blazer has been in pretty steady rotation ever since it came to live at Casa de Crazy-Clothes Lady (that's me!), so I thought it might be fun to show you a few of the ways I've styled it in the past. From preppy layers and polka dots, to girlie dresses and prints-galore, there's no shortage of remixing possibilities and I intend to try them all... Challenge accepted.

My favourite way to wear this blazer so far has been over lightweight dresses, particularly the white feather dress pictured above. The light colours and contrasting textures work really well together, giving the illusion of a fresh, spring-ready look that still keeps you relatively warm (say what!). In fact, I liked this look from last May so much that I recreated it with a similar blazer here.... Hey, a girl's got to milk these things, OK?

Happy Thursday, friends! xx

Check out each post (clockwise from top left) for outfit details: 1, 2, 3, 4

{Style} The Legend of Ron Burgundy...

Alright, you've got me � this post has nothing to do with Anchorman. Regardless, I just couldn't resist the title. Ron or no Ron, burgundy is pretty legendary, no? It's one of my go-to shades of the season, and, well, let's just say that it plays nicely with other neutrals... What a colour. I would go so far as to say that I love it almost as much as I love � to quote one of the brightest minds of cinematic history � lamp. xx

Outfit details: coat- Forever 21; dress- Darling; blouse- Topshop; tights- Joe Fresh; booties- Aldo; beanie- Zara; necklace- Forever 21; ring- House of Harlow; clutch- vintage YSL

{Style} Denim Nation...

You can't really tell from these pictures, but shortly before these photos were taken I maimed myself making breakfast. It was like a tsunami-sized wave of scalding oil coming right at my unsuspecting hand... Not fun. But after Mr. AiF took me off pancake duty and kissed it better, I felt good as new. And speaking of new, how cute is this H&M clutch? It was a Valentine's day surprise from my mister, and I couldn't love it (or him!) more... Happy Tuesday, friends! xx

Outfit details: denim shirt- Urban Outfitters; faux leather short- H&M; booties- Shoe Mint; polka dot tights- Forever 21; clutch- H&M; sunnies- Karen Walker; watch- Michael Kors; bracelet & necklace borrowed from Kastles; burn c/o pancakes

{Style} Flower Pop...

Outfit details: blouse- Forever 21; blazer & floral leggings- Zara; clutch- BCBG; pumps- ShoeMint; necklace- Urban Outfitters; bracelet- House of Harlow; watch & ring- Michael Kors

{Valentine's Week} The Pants...

As I write this, I'm slowly coming down from a sugar-induced Valentine's day high (you don't even want to know how many macarons I've had today!), where lethargy and writers block are apparently the main side effects. Mr. AiF surprised me with some special treats, bubbly and a homecooked meal, and now I'm crashing... hard. So with that said, it's time to wrap this thing up, people!

Thanks for baring with me through all this (V-Day isn't for the faint of heart, after all), and I hope you guys have enjoyed reading these silly little posts as much as I have had creating them... Until next time, love bugs! xx

Outfit details: faux leather detail peplum top- Urban Outfitters; red jeans- Joe Fresh; studded leather jacket- Zara; booties- Aldo; quilted clutch- Michael Kors; necklace- Urban Outfitters; bracelet- vintage Whiting & Davis; Bulova watch c/o WatchCo

{Valentine's Week} The Date...

My mister and I are diurnal creatures, so the majority of our jaunts happen during daylight hours... Dates included. It just so happens that our favourite activities are better suited to daytime, like leisurely strolls, brunching (our fave!), vintage shopping and coffee-drinking galore (trust me, late night caffeine and I do not mix). Kassie and her adorable hubby snapped some pics of us during a double date last weekend, and despite the piggy backing and Dungeons & Dragons, these photos pretty much capture a typical lobbie day-date... Photos (much to the dismay of Mr. AiF) and all.

In other news, I want to thank Hayden Reis for sending me this adorable striped tote, which is quickly becoming my new favourite work/gallivanting bag. It just has so many pockets and handy snaps that I've found myself lugging it around on the daily, which is always good because my current tote has seen better days... And speaking of better days, I recently replaced my four-year-old coat with this snazzy � albeit nautical � Zara coat. Gotta love end of season sales, am I right?

Happy Valentine's Day, friends � Hope everyone has a fun, sugar-filled day! xx

Outfit details: coat- Zara; beanie- Old Navy; dress- Zara; rain boots- Michael Kors; polka dot tights- Joe Fresh; striped tote c/o Hayden Reis

{Valentine's Week} Two-Tone Lipstick...

When I first saw the makeup from Holly Fulton's S/S 13 show, I instantly became obsessed with two-toned lips and filed the idea away in my mind for this very occasion... And by occasion, I of course mean Valentine's Day (don't hate). Seriously though, when else is it permissible to walk around sporting pink and red lipstick in the light of day if not V-Day? Please don't say never...

Happy Wednesday, friends! xx

{Valentine's Week} DIY Glitter Heart Pins & Shoe Clips...

Valentine's day is nothing without a little glitter and a whole lot of hearts, so when Kassie and I found ourselves having an impromptu glitter heart pin and shoe clip DIY session last weekend, it felt completely natural to us. I mean, why wouldn't you sit around gluing sparkly bits to the girliest of girlie motifs with your bestie? Exactly.

Want to make some festive hair pins, brooches and shoe clips of your own? Check out my shrinky dinks DIY for a how-to guide when making your heart base, as well as this glitter watch DIY for Mod Podge instructions. Then simply super glue a pin or clip to the back of your heart (avoiding contact with your skin, unlike Kassie!) and you're ready to rock... Happy Valentine's week, friends! xx

On me: feather dress- Forever 21; striped blazer- H&M; necklace- Ily Couture; pumps & tights- Joe Fresh // On Kassie: top- Anthropologie; skirt- Jason Wu for Target; coat- Old Navy; pumps- vintage; necklaces- Joe Fresh